mild
Americanadjective
-
milder,
comparative
-
mildest
superlative
-
amiably gentle or temperate in feeling or behavior toward others.
- Antonyms:
- forceful
-
characterized by or showing such gentleness, as manners or speech.
a mild voice.
-
not cold, severe, or extreme, as air or weather.
mild breezes.
- Antonyms:
- severe
-
not sharp, pungent, or strong.
a mild flavor.
- Synonyms:
- bland
-
not acute or serious, as disease.
a mild case of flu.
-
gentle or moderate in force or effect.
mild penalties.
- Antonyms:
- harsh
-
soft; pleasant.
mild sunshine.
-
moderate in intensity, degree, or character.
mild regret.
-
British Dialect. comparatively soft and easily worked, as soil, wood, or stone.
-
Obsolete. kind or gracious.
noun
adjective
-
(of a taste, sensation, etc) not powerful or strong; bland
a mild curry
-
gentle or temperate in character, climate, behaviour, etc
-
not extreme; moderate
a mild rebuke
-
feeble; unassertive
noun
Synonym Usage
See gentle.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of mild
First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English milde; cognate with German mild; akin to Greek malthakós “soft”
Explanation
A mild person is humble and meek — the opposite of bold. Mild things are also moderate in some way, like pleasantly mild weather or food that’s not spicy. Mild is the opposite of extreme. There’s nothing wild about mild. Mild comes from the Old English word milde for "gentle." Indeed, mild people are gentle. They don't brag or do cartwheels in supermarkets. They're mellow and submissive. Things can be mild too. Mild salsa doesn’t have many hot peppers. Mild can also mean slight, or small amount, as in a mild cold that doesn’t keep you home from school. If you skip school because you have a mild headache, you might just get a mild punishment.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Malaysia’s September inflation and trade figures will help investors assess the case for tighter policy, with price pressures relatively mild but economic growth resilient.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
As the city has continued to grow, it has earned a reputation for its distinct brand of laid-back luxury, offering residents a bustling culture, mild weather, and a reasonably-priced cost of living.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Aguh said they are suited only for mild forms of acne; Fine said the patches have given some of her patients discoloration and she doesn’t recommend them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
It usually causes mild symptoms, but for babies, older people and those with weakened immune systems, it can lead to serious illness, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Its hands dangled, the metal talons dragging mild grooves as Pet moved to get comfortable on the floor.
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
For milder forms of face acne, dermatologists may recommend face washes or creams containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinoids such as adapalene.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
That’s where heating bills could potentially get the most help from milder temperatures, he said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 10, 2026
It will be accompanied by a strengthening southerly breeze and gradually a return to milder air once again.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
Compared with the other groups, participants generally experienced milder symptoms.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2026
The sun is warm then and the winds blow milder out of the west, sometimes out of the south.
From "Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell
Stage 1 is the mildest of CTE's four stages, in which headaches and loss of attention or concentration are common symptoms.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
“This is the mildest measure imaginable,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026
Temperatures tend to be mildest in the fall and spring.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2024
At its mildest, an aircraft may only experience slight erratic changes in altitude, but at the severe end, turbulence can cause large abrupt changes in altitude and angle of the plane.
From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2024
Worst of all, he will have no resistance to germs and infection; he will be very susceptible to pneumonia or even the mildest impurities in his food and water.
From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien
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